Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Protocols Research Articles

Depression and Anxiety Among Arab Individuals in the United States: A Meta-analysis.

Emerging research suggests that the increasing population of Arab immigrants and refugees living in the United States (U.S.) has a greater risk for depression and anxiety than other groups. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety for Arabs in the U.S., to examine the moderating effects of key demographic variables (gender, immigration status, ethnicity) and study characteristics (research design and quality) on the prevalence of anxiety and depression, and to evaluate the direct effects of additional demographic and study characteristics on prevalence rates. Using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), we searched PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, ProQuest, and the Web of Science databases for articles published between January 2000 and March 2023. Two reviewers each individually extracted the articles' data and evaluated the reported study's methodological quality using a well-established checklist. Statistical analyses consisted of random effects models to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety across all studies, separate random effects models for distinct demographic (e.g., immigration status) and methodologic (e.g., study quality) subgroups that might have unique prevalence rates, and a meta-regression to identify additional variables (e.g., age of individuals) that might influence prevalence rates. Our review included 17 studies with a total sample population size of 22, 558 participants. Results indicated that the estimated prevalence of depression overall was 48% (CI 34, 63%) and 58% (CI 33, 83%) for the prevalence of anxiety. Our subgroup analyses uncovered notable variations in prevalence rates based on gender composition, immigration status, ethnicity, and research quality while results of the meta-regressions demonstrated effects of publication year and age of the Arab individual on the estimated prevalence of depression and anxiety. The high prevalence rates for depression and anxiety identified through this meta-analysis are very concerning and underscore the urgent need to address mental health concerns in Arab communities. Results of subgroup and meta-regression analyses suggest that refugees, individuals from specific countries of origin, and younger Arabic persons may need particular attention by clinicians in screening for and treating their depression and anxiety. Our results also signify the need for further high-quality studies to more rigorously assess prevalence of these mental health problems, since we found evidence of potential publication bias and approximately one third of the studies in the review had less optimal methodological quality based on our evaluation. Ultimately, in-depth research regarding the causes of anxiety or depression among Arab individuals will be essential to the development of culturally competent interventions that may reduce their very high prevalence rates.

Review of the target trial methodological approach on treatment effect estimates in kidney failure: protocol for a systematic assessment

BackgroundPatients with kidney failure often lack robust evidence because they are excluded from randomized trials. Trial emulation provides an alternative approach to derive treatment effect estimates when randomized trials cannot be conducted. Critical questions about the comparative efficacy and safety of interventions in kidney failure are now being answered using this approach or parts of it. However, variations and inconsistencies in reporting cast doubt on the reliability and validity of effect estimates not derived from randomized trials. The aim of this methodological systematic review is to understand the extent to which the target study approach is used in kidney failure and the appropriateness of this approach. By identifying and evaluating studies that qualify as emulating a target trial, compared with studies that did not apply the principles. We aim to provide more specific methodological guidance to increase the clarity and reliability of reporting treatment effect estimates when running a trial in kidney failure is not feasible.MethodsThis protocol is developed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. MEDLINE, Embase, and reference lists (backwards citation chasing) will be searched up until 1st July 2023 and the search updated prior to publication to identify all studies evaluating patient outcomes in late-stage kidney disease and failure that use target trial emulation as the primary approach for analysis. Two authors (A. A., P. K.) will select articles based on title and abstract and then full text, with a third reviewer settling disagreements (J. P.). The prespecified variables will be extracted, and the risk of bias will be assessed by at least two authors (A. A., P. K., A. N.) using prespecified data forms. This will enable the determination of the robustness of the methodological quality of observational studies in using the whole or elements of the target trial approach. We will thereby assess their ability to reliably report treatment effect estimates.DiscussionWe will provide specific methodological recommendations on how to design target trials and model assumptions for emulation to get reliable treatment effect estimates for therapeutic interventions in kidney failure.Methodological systematic review registrationOpen Science Framework: Identifier https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z4Y29.

How do social and gender norms influence the sexual and reproductive health of younger adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review protocol

Introduction Younger adolescents (aged 10–14 years) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have disproportionate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes due to structural, behavioural, socioeconomic and other factors. Social and gender norms have important consequences for the SRH and wellbeing of younger adolescents both now and over their life course. SRH programming often focuses on older adolescents (aged 15–19 years), overlooking younger ones. This scoping review sets out to explore how gender and social norms influence younger adolescents’ SRH in SSA, to inform tailored interventions. Methods The Arksey and O'Malley strategy will be used to review the available literature. Online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINHAL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and African Index Medicus) will be searched for original studies published between 1 January 2000 and 30 September 2024. Further, a manual search to include relevant grey literature will be performed. The steps in the review are: 1) defining the research question, 2) identifying relevant studies, 3) selecting studies, 4) charting the data, and 5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results. Results Findings will be reported in accordance with the guidance provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. Discussion The review will generate the most up-to-date evidence and identify gaps in literature in addition to informing future research on how gender and social norms influence younger adolescents’ SRH in SSA. Findings will inform and influence future interventions and evaluations in this area.

Impact of health systems interventions in primary health settings on type 2 diabetes care and health outcomes among adults in West Africa: A systematic review protocol.

Type 2 diabetes is a major global public health challenge, particularly in the African region. Though evidence exists on pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological interventions in maintaining blood glucose concentration, the healthcare systems' ability to meet patients' needs may be inadequate. The management of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, has been postulated to depend on functioning health systems. This systematic review will, therefore, summarize the current evidence on existing health systems interventions in primary health settings for type 2 diabetes care and health outcomes in West Africa and will explore the impact of these system-level interventions on service availability, accessibility and quality, as well as individualized outcomes such as glycemic control, disease awareness and treatment adherence. The review will be conducted according to the reporting guidance in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). The health system framework by Witter et al., 2019 will guide the system-level interventions and the search strategy to be explored in this review. This framework was designed to integrate the six building blocks of the World Health Organization (WHO) health systems framework and it delineates how they work synergistically to improve specific health outcomes. We will search the following databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) between January 2000 to January 2024. We will also search Cairn.info for articles published between January 2005 to January 2024. The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing Risk of Bias will be implemented in each included study. We will conduct a narrative synthesis and make comparisons across findings using Excel-generated tables. In Conclusion, this systematic review will outline the existing system-level interventions that aim to or already improve type 2 diabetes services in primary health settings in West Africa and will offer suggestions for the strengthening and co-production of successful interventions that can be generalized to the entire sub-region.

Evaluating the effectiveness of recovery-oriented interventions for youth who vape nicotine: a systematic review protocol.

The increase in nicotine vaping among youth has emerged as a critical public health concern. Vaping among youth is linked to adverse health outcomes, including nicotine addiction, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and mental health challenges. Recently, there has been a growing demand for research to expand on treatments to enhance the recovery process from vaping nicotine in youth. To this date, no comprehensive review identifies all interventions available for vaping recovery and compares their effectiveness in youth. This proposed systematic review seeks to identify all recovery-oriented interventions for youth aged 10-24 that facilitate vaping recovery and evaluate the measured effectiveness. This review will serve to support healthcare practitioners, nurses and policymakers to further understand recovery interventions and aid in improving vaping recovery among youth. This protocol, registered with PROSPERO, adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) framework, and the final review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure quality and replicability. The review will comprise studies including youth aged 10-24 engaging in nicotine vaping. A comprehensive search will be conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and CINAHL, with no restrictions on the date range due to the recency of the topic. Two independent reviewers will screen the identified research for eligibility at the title and abstract levels, with any disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. The review will include randomised control trials and quasi-experimental studies. Full-text review and data extraction will be standardised and completed by the primary researcher. Additionally, studies will be assessed for quality and potential biases. Given that this is a review of existing literature, no ethics approval is required. The focus on youth necessitates careful consideration of ethical standards. This review is committed to contributing responsibly to public health knowledge regarding youth vaping recovery. The results from this review will be disseminated through publication in an open-access, peer-reviewed journal and likely through posters and presentations at scientific conferences. CRD42024543994.

Differential diagnosis and treatment protocols for desquamative gingivitis: A systematic review.

The occurrence of desquamation, shedding and erythema on marginal and attached gingiva is described as desquamative gingivitis (DG). Various autoimmune/dermatological disorders cause DG.The aim of the present systematic review was to gather information on all possible kinds of treatment for DG, based on specific DG diagnoses.The review was organized following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, up to April 2022. Reviews, letters and studies with less than 2 participants were excluded.Fifteen publications matched the eligibility criteria: 6 case series; 5 clinical trials; 3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and 1 cohort study. A total of 330 patients were enrolled, mostly women (81.52%), with an average age of 57.6 years. Diagnostic characteristics corresponded to oral lichen planus (OLP) (n = 249), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) (n = 30), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) (n = 19), plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) (n = 4), erythema multiforme (EM) (n = 1), and non-specified diseases (NSD) (n = 27). Oral lichen planus and MMP were eliminated using oral hygiene instructions with topical clobetasol and/or doxycycline monohydrate. Pemphigus vulgaris, PCG and EM were treated with topical clobetasol.To conclude, each DG case requires personalized treatment, depending on the diagnosis.

Metacognitive Functioning in Students with Learning Disabilities or Difficulties: A Systematic Literature Review

Dealing with the particularities of learners with learning disabilities or difficulties requires an understanding of the metacognitive functioning of these subjects. The aim of this work is to summarise the studies dealing with metacognitive functioning in students with learning disabilities or difficulties. For this reason, this research applied the systematic literature review method with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) protocol. The research stages included identification, selection, eligibility and inclusion, so that studies must be indexed by Scopus between 2018 and 2023 and focus on metacognition in learners with learning disabilities or difficulties, the selection was carried out in two phases; an assessment of titles and abstracts, followed by a full analysis of the texts. The results reveal significant metacognitive disparities between students with learning disabilities and their typically developing peers. They use more surface strategies and fewer self-regulatory strategies, attach less importance to mastery, and avoid performance for fear of failure. They also have difficulty organising information, which affects their motivation. Interventions including cognitive and metacognitive strategies, techniques such as virtual reality and specific teaching improve learners’ ability to detect errors, self-regulate and develop essential skills in mathematics, reading and other areas. Future research should further explore these interventions to better understand their impact, taking into account aspects such as motivation and using rigorous methodological tools.

Interdependence of halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance for creating a strong halal ecosystem

Purpose Ethical entrepreneurship and financing models based on Islamic principles are insufficiently researched and discussed in the emerging plural economic landscape. So far, Islamic theorists have made commendable efforts in this direction. To fill the knowledge gaps, this study aims to explore more rigorously the interdependence of halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance in creating a strong halal ecosystem. Design/methodology/approach Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, a systematic literature review (SLR) of 33 articles from 2001 to 2024 was conducted to answer three research questions. Publications were obtained using purposive sampling from the Scopus database. They were selected based on the ranking of high-quality journals, global coverage relevance to research and base years of publications. Findings Three key findings emerged from the SLR using the PRISMA protocol. First, halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance complement each other by providing Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments, fostering ethical practices, enhancing market reach and ensuring business operations adhere to Islamic principles, thereby creating a cohesive halal ecosystem. Second, the strategic integration of halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance – through innovation, sustainability practices, Shari’ah-compliant products, effective marketing and regulatory support – promotes economic growth, social welfare and sustainable development within the halal ecosystem. Third, Maqasid-ul Shari’ah principles guide halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance by ensuring ethical standards, promoting social justice, emphasizing sustainability and ensuring that business and financial practices benefit society and adhere to Islamic ethical standards. These findings aid in developing a theoretically grounded conceptual framework for future empirical investigation. Practical implications Practically, policymakers, Islamic financial institutions and halal entrepreneurs can leverage this integrated approach to drive economic growth, social welfare and sustainable development, aligning operations with Maqasid-ul Shari’ah to ensure ethical standards and societal benefits. In addition, the findings aid in developing a theoretically grounded conceptual framework for future empirical investigation, both theoretically and methodologically. Originality/value Given the paucity of studies in this multidisciplinary area, this paper offers new insights into the interdependence of halal entrepreneurship and Islamic finance, grounded in the finance–growth nexus theory and Maqasid-ul Shari’ah principles. Unlike other exploratory studies, this research presents a theoretically grounded conceptual framework, paving the way for future empirical investigations.

Music Therapy for Pain and Anxiety Reduction in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

Introduction: Many children undergo invasive and noninvasive procedures in the pediatric medical setting, which can be associated with pain and anxiety. Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are currently being used to minimize pain and anxiety in pediatric patients in the medical setting. Music therapy is an evidence-based, cost-effective, and nonpharmacological service administered by a board-certified music therapist which may reduce pediatric pain and anxiety during procedures. We will undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis that will comprehensively analyze the quantitative publications that detail the effects of music therapy on pediatric pain and anxiety for patients undergoing invasive or noninvasive medical procedures. Method: This protocol is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement and is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Prospero; CRD42023474635 ). A three-step, iterative search strategy will include (1) an initial scoping search, (2) development and execution of a comprehensive search strategy, and (3) a search for additional publications. Procedures for disagreements among reviewers and the article screening process are outlined. Statistical analyses including analysis of outcomes and sensitivity analysis has been determined. A plan for critical appraisal of sources using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and quality of evidence using the Outcome Reporting Bias in Trials (ORBIT) of evidence is also present in this protocol. Conclusion: This protocol is presented with the intention to execute and publish results of this systematic review and meta-analysis to help inform clinical practice and future research.

Auricular Therapy to Control Pain in Women With Breast Cancer: Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The increased incidence of breast cancer implies the appearance of frequent symptoms associated with disease and treatments, such as pain. For the management of this issue, auricular therapy has been used in a complementary manner, especially for its safety and analgesic action. This systematic review aims to summarize available evidence on the effects of auricular therapy on pain in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. This is a systematic review that includes randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of auricular therapy on pain in women with breast cancer, as compared with other interventions (sham or placebo auricular therapy, other nonpharmacological interventions, and routine pain treatments) during the treatment of the disease. Pain, whether induced or not by cancer treatments, is the main outcome to be evaluated. The search for the studies was performed in the following databases: MEDLINE through PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, VHL, TCIM Americas Network, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. The reviewers have independently evaluated the full texts, and in the near future, they will extract the data and assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The certainty of the evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and a meta-analysis will be carried out to evaluate the intervention, considering the homogeneity of the results, using the Cochran Q test and quantified by the Higgins inconsistency index. The guidelines of the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) have been respected in the elaboration of this protocol. The records screening stage has been completed, and the synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted in February 2024. We hope to have finished the preparation of the paper for publication by September 2024. Review reporting will follow standard guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. This review will compile the strength of evidence for the use of auricular therapy in the management of pain in women with breast cancer during the treatment of the disease, identifying gaps in the available evidence as well as assisting health professionals in indicating the intervention for clinical practice. PROSPERO CRD42022382433; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=382433. DERR1-10.2196/55792.

A Comparison of Conventional Root Canal Sealers With Ones That Use Green Synthesized Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Activity: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Root canal failure and secondary endodontic infection are frequent clinical scenarios in dentistry. The main microorganisms implicated in root canal therapy failure are persistent Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. To combat the impact of disease resistance, scientists are concentrating on alternative antimicrobial root canal sealers. Nanomaterials are a recent development in endodontic materials that exhibit great antimicrobial properties, making them an ideal material choice for root canal sealers. This systematic review aims to compare the antimicrobial properties of conventional root canal sealers to those incorporating green synthesized nanoparticles between 2010 and 2024. A well-constructed protocol was established and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021286373). Ethics approval was obtained from the Biomedical Research and Ethics Committee from the University of the Western Cape (UWC; BM22/1/4). PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) reporting guidelines were followed. The included criteria demonstrate the green synthesized nanoparticles studies where the nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated in root canal sealers. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were used for the search strategy of the systematic electronic databases for articles published in English between 2010 and 2024. The selected databases included Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online. A quality assessment tool for laboratory studies will be used to critically appraise the included studies. If applicable, statistical measures (mean, SD, etc) will be used for data analysis and presentation of the results. The protocol is registered with PROSPERO. A preliminary search was conducted using a determined search strategy across 8 electronic databases, and the review is now complete. It is anticipated that the results of this systematic review may reveal the increased interest and application for nanoparticle-enhanced root canal sealers. This will aid in the future development of root canal sealants and mitigate the risk of endodontic failure. PROSPERO CRD42021286373; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=286373. DERR1-10.2196/51351.

Ureteric stenting outside of the operation theatre: challenges and opportunities.

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness of bedside or office-based ureteric stent insertion. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Protocols (PRISMA-P) and A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 guidelines, we searched PubMed/the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), the Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Dimensions for English-language studies from 1978 to April 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on primary ureteric stent placements outside of the operating theatre (OT). A total of 15 studies involving 2072 stents were included. Success rates for correctly positioned stents in bedside or office-based insertions ranged from 60% to 95.8%, with most studies reporting ≥80% success rates. Common failure reasons included impacted stones and difficulty identifying the ureteric orifice. Pain and tolerability were assessed using various methods, with validated tools indicating moderate pain levels, but most patients would undergo the procedure again under local anaesthesia. Complication rates were generally low, with minor complications such as haematuria or postoperative fever being the most common. Procedural costs were significantly lower in non-OT settings, with estimates indicating savings of up to four-fold. Bedside or office-based ureteric stent insertion is a viable alternative to OT procedures, offering high success rates, manageable pain levels, low complication rates, and substantial cost savings. This approach is particularly advantageous in settings with limited OT access, highlighting its potential for broader adoption in urological practice. Future research should focus on standardising pain assessment methods and randomised studies.

Efficacy of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotics in improving growth in children under age five years in Africa: A protocol for a systematic review.

Background: Stunting is among the main obstacles to human development affecting millions of children worldwide, particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Randomized clinical trials have shown the positive effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in improving growth in children and toddlers. However, although the global mobilization to tackle its challenges in their different aspects is visible, it remains to define effective large-scale up interventions and strategies to obtain long-lasting impacts. Objective: The objective of this review is to re-evaluate the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics, and/or synbiotics on growth in children 0 to 5 years in Africa including recently published studies. Methods: Systematic search will be carried out in Pubmed, Science Direct, clinicaltrial.org, and Google Scholar. Both randomized and observational studies that assess the association between prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics, and health benefits and growth in children under 5 years of age will be included in the review. PRISMA-P (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols) will be used used for this protocol, and PRISMA will be used for the systematic review. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool will be used to assess the quality of eligible studies. If the compiled data are appropriate and sufficient enough, we will perform a meta-analysis using RevMan software. Conclusion: This review will provide up-to-date and reliable information on the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on the growth of children under 5 years of age especially in developing countries. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022343138.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes From 2009 to 2023: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

In 2009, Gary and colleagues reviewed prior research examining racial and ethnic differences in outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Over the past 15 years, advances in research and changes in the demographic composition of the United States warrant a comprehensive understanding of racial and ethnic disparities after TBI. A systematic review will be conducted to examine racial and ethnic differences in TBI outcomes from 2009 to 2023. Preliminary searches and study screening processes will identify relevant English-language articles published from January 2009 to December 2023 using the CINAHL, Gale OneFile, PsycINFO (Ovid), and PubMed electronic databases. Relevant articles will include quantitative or mixed method approaches, involve individuals with TBI or their caregivers, and compare 2 or more groups by race or ethnicity on post-TBI outcomes. Quality will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. This systematic review protocol was developed following PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines. Results will be summarized, and a subgroup analysis may be conducted based on demographics (eg, age, gender, or sex). We have already identified abstracts using the search strategy for all 4 of the included electronic databases. We recently updated the search and will begin abstract screening of the additional abstracts identified from the last search completed in January 2024. This systematic review is anticipated to be completed by fall 2024, and its findings will be disseminated to the scientific community, persons with TBI, caregivers, and the lay audience. This systematic review will advance our understanding regarding outcome disparities among minoritized individuals with TBI, examine progress over the past 15 years in minimizing barriers encountered by these racial and ethnic groups, and provide professionals with a roadmap illustrating existing gaps in rehabilitation care, making way for further development and implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve health equity in TBI outcomes. PROSPERO CRD42023394529; https://tinyurl.com/53mtcz9b. PRR1-10.2196/58763.

Effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the sexual function of climacteric women: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Climacteric period signifies a transitional phase characterized by ovarian failure and a decline in estrogen levels, leading to various urogynecological alterations, including potential sexual dysfunctions. Among these, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function plays a pivotal role in female sexual function. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the sexual function of climacteric women. Methods Experimental or quasi-experimental studies published in peer-reviewed journals, assessing the sexual function of perimenopausal women with PFMT as an intervention, will be included. Studies conducted in institutionalized populations or with neurological and cognitive diseases will be excluded. This systematic review protocol follows the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). The searches will be carried out in the Pubmed, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences), Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro, using the Search equation: climacteric women/menopause and PFMT and (sexual function or sexual dysfunction). The assessment of methodological quality will be carried out using the Pedro and GRADE scale, which will involve two independent researchers to evaluate the criteria. A third researcher will resolve discrepancies. Ethics and disclosure Ethical approval is not required as this is a secondary data study. This systematic review began in April 2024 and all steps are expected to be completed by November 2024. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024534297

Do self-help groups improve sexual and reproductive health and HIV outcomes among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review protocol

Introduction Self-help groups (SHGs) have been effective in improving the health and wellbeing of women yet there is a dearth of evidence on how they can improve female sex workers’ (FSWs) HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The proposed scoping review seeks to address this gap by identifying and analysing literature on SHGs for FSWs in SSA. Materials and methods This scoping review will employ the methodology developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), expanded on by Levac and colleagues (2010) and Colquhoun and colleagues (2014), and further outlined by Peters and colleagues (2020): (1) identifying the research question(s); (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results. Results We will report our findings in accordance with the guidance provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. Discussion The review will generate the most up-to-date evidence and identify gaps in literature in addition to informing future research on how SHGs can help address SRH and HIV outcomes among FSWs in SSA. Additionally, the scoping review can potentially inform a subsequent systematic review.

Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of continuous versus intermittent enteral feeding in critically ill patients

IntroductionEnteral nutrition (EN) is the recommended nutritional support in most critically ill populations. When given by feeding tube, EN may be administered either continuously or intermittently. It is unclear which approach is superior in reducing gastrointestinal complications—such as diarrhea—and meeting nutritional targets. The main objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis are to (1) determine whether continuous or intermittent enteral nutrition is associated with higher incidence of adverse gastrointestinal outcomes, including diarrhea, and (2) determine which feeding modality is associated with reaching nutritional goals.Methods and analysisThis systematic review protocol is reported in accordance with guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. We will search MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry (ICTRP) search portal for studies comparing continuous EN and intermittent EN in critically ill patients with no date or language restrictions. Studies will be screened, selected, and extracted independently and in duplicate. We will assess the risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias (RoB) 2 tool. The primary outcome will include the incidence of diarrhea; secondary outcomes include other adverse GI outcomes (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation), as well as reaching nutritional goals, and length of ICU and hospital stay and mortality. We will pool data using a random-effects model and assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this study as no original data will be collected. We will disseminate results through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42022330118.

Mapping the evaluation of the electronic health system PEC e-SUS APS in Brazil: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundThe Brazilian Ministry of Health has developed and provided the Citizen’s Electronic Health Record (PEC e-SUS APS), a health information system freely available for utilization by all municipalities. Given the substantial financial investment being made to enhance the quality of health services in the country, it is crucial to understand how users evaluate this product. Consequently, this scoping review aims to map studies that have evaluated the PEC e-SUS APS.MethodsThis scoping review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) framework, as well as by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Checklist extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The research question was framed based on the “CoCoPop” mnemonic (Condition, Context, Population). The final question posed is, “How has the Citizen’s Electronic Health Record (PEC e-SUS APS) been evaluated?” The search strategy will be executed across various databases (LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, and IEEE Digital Library), along with gray literature from ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global and Google Scholar, with assistance from a professional healthcare librarian skilled in supporting systematic reviews. The database search will encompass the period from 2013 to 2024. Articles included will be selected by three independent reviewers in two stages, and the findings will undergo a descriptive analysis and synthesis following a “narrative review” approach. Independent reviewers will chart the data as outlined in the literature.DiscussionThe implementation process for the PEC e-SUS APS can be influenced by the varying characteristics of the over 5500 Brazilian municipalities. These factors and other challenges encountered by health professionals and managers may prove pivotal for a municipality’s adoption of the PEC e-SUS APS system. With the literature mapping to be obtained from this review, vital insights into how users have evaluated the PEC will be obtained.Systematic review registrationThe protocol has been registered prospectively at the Open Science Framework platform under the number 10.17605/OSF.IO/NPKRU.

Enriching computing identity frameworks: integrating current constructs and unveiling new dimensions for today’s tech-savvy world—a systematic review

This systematic review seeks to improve the existing framework for developing students’ Computing Identity (CI) by integrating contemporary elements and identifying new dimensions. A meticulous selection of 31 articles followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol, ensuring a comprehensive and systematic approach. The findings highlight factors that influence students’ CI and also the constructs defining the frameworks for developing students’ CI. The identified existing constructs are competence/performance, interest, sense of belonging, and recognition in computing, with competence/performance being the most explored and recognition the least. The review proposes a new framework for developing students’ CI that includes the “social context” as it interweaves with existing constructs to shape the multifaceted process of CI formation. The findings underscore a research gap concerning the inclusion of diverse perspectives, which is essential for a richer understanding of CI. Additionally, the study emphasizes the potential to incorporate new elements to enhance the existing frameworks for developing students’ CI, along with its validation in diverse contexts.

Rethinking the Social Determination of Food in Chile Through Practices and Interactions of Actors in Food Environments: Nonexperimental, Cross-Sectional Study.

Food environments are crucial for promoting healthy and sustainable eating and preventing obesity. However, existing food environment frameworks assume an already installed causality and do not explain how associations in food environments are established or articulated, especially from an integrative and transdisciplinary approach. This research attempts to bridge these gaps through the use of Actor-Network Theory, which traces the relationship network between human (and nonhuman) actors in order to describe how these interact and what agencies (direct or remote) are involved. This study aims to explain the practices and interactions of actors in food environments in order to approach the problem of unhealthy eating with a transdisciplinary approach. This is a nonexperimental, cross-sectional study. Due to the complexity of the study phenomena, a mixed methods approach with 4 consecutive phases will be developed in Chile. Phase 1 involves a systematic literature review of food environment evidence since 2015, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol; phase 2 involves the application of a shortened version of the Nutrition Environment Measure Scale-Perceptions adapted to Chile (NEMS-P-Ch) in 2 neighborhoods with different socioeconomic levels; in phase 3, six focus groups in each neighborhood will be conducted to address social determinants such as gender, employment status, and migration; and in phase 4, participant observation and in-depth interviews will be used to analyze the direct and empirical exploration of the actors in their daily interaction with food environments. The triangulation and complementarity of the data will allow us to create a practical model about the practices and interactions of actors in their food environments, which reflects the complexity and transdisciplinary nature of the study. We have advanced in phases 1-3 of the study. In phase 1, a total of 109 manuscripts are being revised for data extraction. In phase 2, we applied the NEMS-P-Ch to 785 people, 49.4% (388/785) of whom belong to a low socioeconomic neighborhood. Participants from phase 2 are being contacted to participate in the focus groups (phase 3). By the end of July, we have conducted 6 focus groups with 5-11 participants. This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of how individuals interact with their food environments, offering deep insights into the factors influencing their food-related decisions. In addition, the study aims to develop a model that more accurately reflects reality by examining not only the food environments themselves but also the interactions among various stakeholders within these environments and their daily practices. The findings of this study will offer evidence-based insights to inform public policies tailored to the specific territories and communities under investigation or those with similar characteristics. DERR1-10.2196/62765.